Breaking News: Dodgers Reportedly Sign Albert Pujols

It didn’t take long for Albert Pujols to find a new home, and the great news for him is he won’t have to travel far. After being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels on May 6, Pujols cleared waivers and has found his new team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal is expected to be finalized Monday.

Those close to Albert Pujols says he's thrilled, signing a major-league contract with the #Dodgers

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 15, 2021

Jorge Castillo of the LA Times broke the news that the Dodgers were in agreement to sign Pujols for the rest of the 2021 season. Pujols has had one of the most established careers of all time. He’s played 21 years in the big leagues, 11 of which were with the Cardinals and the other 10 with the Angels. Pujols has over 3,000 careers hits and 667 home runs. Pujols is a 10-time All Star, has won two World Series (2006 & 2011), and has won the MVP three times in the National League.

It was speculated in the offseason that the 41 year-old would retire after the 2021 season. This season Pujols has a slash line of .198/.250/.372 with 5 home runs and 12 runs batted in. Pujols has primarily been a first baseman and DH the majority of his career, so that would be his expected role with the Dodgers. Andrew Friedman has been searching for an additional right-handed bat since the beginning of the offseason, and do to the slow starts of DJ Peters and Sheldon Neuse, it appears Friedman seized the opportunity. Pujols is a career .298 hitter vs left-handed pitching and a .946 OPS.

Can confirm, as @jorgecastillo reported, that the Dodgers and Albert Pujols are in agreement on a major league deal. Would appear to be a part-time role, but Max Muncy has versatility at 2B and 3B, which could open up at-bats. And Dodgers could use help vs. LHs.

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) May 15, 2021

Pujols provides a veteran locker room presence. Though the role is expected to be in a limited capacity, Pujols would be able to come in for pinch hit situations and off days for players such as Max Muncy and Justin Turner. With the season ending injury to INF Edwin Ríos, the Dodgers need for a bat became apparent as the depth chart begun to thin. This is a low-risk move for the Dodgers, as we expect the deal to be relatively cheap. For Dodger fans this should be exciting as they will not only get to witness one of the greatest baseball players of all time wear Dodger Blue, but possibly help them chase another World Series. That would be quite a way to go out for Albert Pujols.

Author Kevin Klein
Twitter: @Klein25
Listen to the Incline: Dodgers podcast
photo credit: Getty Images